Are other drivers killing your RV experience?

camilllit wrote:
Yes! We actually cancelled our trip from PA to Myrtle Beach SC because at 65 years old driving around the Baltimore and Washington outer loops scares me stiff. I know what its like just driving my 8,000 dually, they play with me like I'm a toy. Don't they respect size and mass? Pulling a 41' fifth wheel with a dually 4x4 8' bed is Xanax time, I can't stop this train on a dime! I try to maintain safe following distance to give me some room to stop......forget it. Three cars cut in front of me. I guess if I leave at midnight is best, shouldn't be too crazy at 2-4 am?

Yes - leave at midnight or 2AM !!

and....keep the blood flowing to those white knuckles!!...:W

You deserve an HDT -instead of the LGT for your 41' 5th wheel. Check who tows what (w/out the Xanax) on the Escapees HDT forum!

.

2oldman wrote:

run100 wrote:
people driving (at night) without turning on their headlights. Just last night, during my 15-mile commute, I witnessed about 10 vehicles without their lights on .

Can't say I've ever seen that.

Newer cars often have the dashboard lights on anytime the engine is running, and that can make it unfortunately hard to tell that your headlights are not on--especially when starting out in an urban area with streetlights, etc. With daytime running lights, it can be even easier to mistake them for headlights when driving.

2oldman wrote:

run100 wrote:
people driving (at night) without turning on their headlights. Just last night, during my 15-mile commute, I witnessed about 10 vehicles without their lights on .

Can't say I've ever seen that.

Come to Florida. A way of life.:E

run100 wrote:
people driving (at night) without turning on their headlights. Just last night, during my 15-mile commute, I witnessed about 10 vehicles without their lights on .

Can't say I've ever seen that.

Other drivers are not really killing our rv experience, but I will say current trends in driver behavior keep me on high alert. Without a doubt, cell conversations, texting, youtube videos and everything else drivers are engaging with while rocketing down the roadways, is creating a tremendous hazard. I was recently rear-ended while at a dead stop. Sorry, but there's no excuse for that!

Another MAJOR hazard today, is people driving (at night) without turning on their headlights. Just last night, during my 15-mile commute, I witnessed about 10 vehicles without their lights on ... and we're not talking dusk. Think dark! A couple were on the freeway. Once I passed them, they were essentially invisible in my mirrors. Now, when changing lanes, you have to be able to spot ghosts.

However, I'm still comfortable hitting the road in the truck and camper and do so as often as possible.

wapiticountry wrote:

mr_andyj wrote:
There is a little known phenomenon - when people get behind a wheel they become a$$H0!#$

The funny part of driving across the country, is that guy towing a big trailer doing 75-80 and getting about 4 mpg that has to stop every 200 miles for more gas, while I get 650 miles towing my rig at 60-64 mph and keep seeing him pass me all day. I never seem to pass him, but always see him in rear mirror then he flys by me WOT over and over and over. I think 7 times is the record in one day.

I doubt you get triple the fuel mileage than a similar rig by driving 20 MPH slower. There is no way you can go 650 miles on a tank of gas while that similar rig can only make it 200.
If you are traveling 650 miles in a day, it is going to take you almost 11 hours driving time at 60 MPH to get where you are going while the guy doing 80 is going to be there in just over 8. He will have time to eat a steak diner and while watching an entire football game from the comfort of his destination while you are still out on the highway dodging those terrible drivers. Maybe he isn't so crazy after all.

@wapiticountry.
#Goldielocks, lol!

Busdriver wrote:
What find amusing, in city & towns people pass you like there hair is on fire, next red light you pull up beside them , or on the interstate people pass you do 20 over the speed limit, about one hour later they pass you again, I have had the same car or truck pass me 2 or 3 times in a day of driving!

That’s me!
I passed the same turtles twice driving down to Boise.
So basically I got “there” a little quicker but stopped for fuel and to pick up another player and stopped for a sit down dinner.
So what’s your point?

So true, Nice post, Mr Mod

Nobody likes traffic, but it shouldn't be a deal killer either.

I just tuck in with the big rigs and stay out of their way. I flash my lights when they signal so they can get back in front of me. I even had a huge bear of a man hug me from behind when I was at the counter paying at a Pilot. Grabbed me and hugged me and said "You're in that big RV, aren't you. Nice to meet you and share the road with you, brother."

It was very weird, but I appreciated his sentiment.

I think the traffic only bugs me though when I'm really hot to make time. And that's when I have to snap myself out of it and remind myself that it's pretty much impossible to make up any time. On long days, I'll average 50 mph when I factor in fuel, food, and pee stops, no matter how much I hurry.

It's always a shocker though when we get back into California and have to slow down to 59 mph.

Prepping for the day makes it go easier too: mix up a big travel tumbler with something to drink, grab some snacks, prep the dogs' space in the back seat, cue up something to listen to, and then get behind the wheel and absorb all the beautiful sights in this nation of ours.

Count your blessings and exhale deep breaths. Life is good.

At 65 you are a youngster. I just bought my 8th, motorhome yesterday and I am 82. i have had RVs since 1969 and just sold my Road Trek a month ago thinking I was through. Once the bug gets you you are hooked. When it comes to driving you haven't lived until you are in Toronto on the 401. Trucks aree the big speeders there. Fortunately I know most of the back roads in Ontario and avoid Toronto unless I am going to a relative that lives here. Most of my relatives are in Pembroke and Petawawa and I can avoid Toronto. Atlanta is horrible. When I retired, back io 1994 I drove tour buses for fun and got 45' coaches to most of the big cities. A motorhome doesn't scare me.